Bath Rugby lock Luke Charteris and back row Taulupe Faletau have both been named in the Welsh 36-man squad ahead of the forthcoming Under Armour series that will see Wales facing Australia on the 5th November, Argentina on the 12th, Japan on the 19th and finally South Africa on the 26th.
The squad will meet up to begin preparations for the four-test campaign on Monday October 24th.
Along with the two uncapped players, Ospreys duo Sam Davies and Rory Thornton,Head Coach Rob Howley has included seven returning players that were not part of the team for the tour to New Zealand last summer including the British & Lions trio Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Lydiate.
The pack will be composed of Gareth Jenkins, Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Scott Bladwin, Kristian Dacey and Ken Owens in the front row. Rory Thornton will be assisted of Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Jake Ball and Luke Charteris in second-row, while the captain Sam Warburton, James King, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau will form the back row contingent.
Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb and Lloyd Williams have been designated as the three contenders for the scrum half position in the squad with Gareth Anscombe and Dan Biggar as fly-halves. The four centers selected for the November tests will be Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams. Hallam Amos, George North and Liam Williams link up with the returning Cuthbert and Hlafpenny across the back three.
About Taulupe Faletau’s return, Rob Howley commented: ‘’Taulupe is still in his rehab process and has been working closely with Bath. We hope he will be available in the later part of the campaign, but his experience will be vitally important to have around the squad.’’
“We know we have to start the campaign strong and have to replicate the accuracy and intensity our opponents will bring to Cardiff. We need to build on what we did in New Zealand and take it up another level for that opening match against Australia.''
WALES 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SERIES SQUAD
Prop
Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps)
Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps)
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Hooker
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Second Row
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps)
Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Back Row
Dan Baker (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau* (Bath Rugby) (61 Caps)
James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps)
Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps)
Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)
Scrum Half
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
Fly Half
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps)
Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Centre
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)
Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps)
Jamie Roberts* (Harlequins) (83 Caps)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)
Wing/Full Back
Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps)
George North* (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps)
Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps)
* Denotes Senior Player Selection Policy wildcard selection.
